Hopes for Her Future (A.K.A. Gushy Mom Post)

Between trying to set a daily schedule, figure out sleep routines, doing without what I consider to be adequate sleep, figuring out how to get Elisabeth to like her carseat, and all the diapering, feeding, and cuddling that is necessary for raising a baby, I have these small, cherishable moments where I feel an amazing, indescribable connection with my little girl. 

Like how my heart swells with excitement while I watch her sleep, imagining all the wonderful things I want to share with her - my testimony of the Savior, my love of good books, my joy of baking, my passion for learning and my enthusiasm for holidays.  I cross my fingers she will want to watch Anne of Green Gables with me and be excited to read all of the Little House on the Prairie books with me before bedtime.  (As Lance also hopes she will be a big Wii player, an avid Trekkie, and a devout Cougar fan.)

Or how it occurs to me the trust my little baby has with me as she cries out after her nap, knowing her Mama will come to pick her up, give her loves, change her diaper and whatever she will need.  Almost like her Mama will always be there for her and she can count on that.  She may not know who to vote for in the next election (neither do I, for that matter) or what state she lives in, but Elisabeth knows, with a surety, that I will be there for her when she needs me.

I pray that as she makes the journey through life to create who she is and who she will become, she can take small pieces of myself and her father into her creation.  I feel blessed to be allowed to be a part of her journey.  

Good Ol' Family Fun

I have been back from MN for a little over three weeks already and still have not posted pictures from our trip.  I have been trying to finally get out all of my thank yous and birth announcements so I have slacked on my blogging.  

We loved spending time with family and being able to celebrate Luke and Heidi's marriage.  I especially loved spending time with my new nephew, Andrew, and hanging out at Aunt Lorraine's who is a fabulous host.  I saw almost all of my family and many, many friends.  I came home a wearied but happy traveler.  Good news:  Elisabeth slept through all of her plane rides!

The Cousins

My brother Dave with Elisabeth and me with his two sons,

Andrew and Alex.  Elisabeth is crying right now.  Not too excited to 

meet her uncle, I guess.  Probably because he is already making

fun of the big mouth she inherited from me.

Big brother Tom, Adrianna (now 3!) and myself.  

Elisabeth with her Auntie Lorraine, my mom's youngest sister, 

after her bath.  It was so nice to be able to stay with Lorraine, Dick,

and cousins Joe and Molly.  We felt very loved.

The whole extended family clan.  Too bad the two baby boys are 

hidden behind mine and Luke's noggins.  We are sure a handsome

and "large" bunch, aren't we?

Chunka Munka

Can you overfeed your breastfed infant?  I didn't think you could.  However, at the rate our little peanut is growing, I am beginning to wonder if it is possible.  I decided to try to spread out her feedings every four hours these days.  She definitely isn't going to waste away!!!

Here is Ellie Beth at 3 months.  We have been affectionately calling her Chunka Munka in honor of Beatrix Potter's A Tale of Two Bad Mice.  She is now graduating into 3-6 month sized clothes.  **Sniff, sniff**  They grow up so fast.